- Kakamega Senator Bonny Khalwale has criticized the county government, led by Governor Fernandes Barasa, for neglecting AFC Leopards.
- He commended the Nyanza region for effectively supporting their local teams, Gor Mahia and Shabana.
- His strategy is to visit top secondary schools in the region, identify promising talents, and sponsor them using county resources, with the aim of integrating them into the AFC Leopards squad.
Kakamega county Senator Bonny Khalwale has unveiled a comprehensive plan to support AFC Leopards, while criticizing the county government for neglecting the historic club that holds deep roots in the region.
Khalwale emphasized that during the drafting of the new constitution, it was established that sports management would fall under the jurisdiction of county governments.
He commended the Nyanza region for effectively supporting their local teams, Gor Mahia and Shabana, and contrasted this with Kakamega County’s apparent abandonment of AFC Leopards in favor of Kakamega Homeboyz.
When we drafted the new constitution, we declared that the responsibility of managing sports would lie with county governments. For example, governors from the five Luo counties have actively supported Gor Mahia,” Khalwale lamented while addressing residents of Kakamega County.
He praised Kisii and Nyamira governors, Simba Arati and Amos Nyaribo respectively, for their unwavering support of Shabana FC, which has recently outperformed AFC Leopards.
However, he criticized the Kakamega County leadership for redirecting funds meant for Leopards to Kakamega Homeboyz, allegedly through Cleophas Shimanyula.
Shabana, which has recently begun outperforming AFC Leopards, enjoys strong backing from Governor Simba Arati and Nyamira’s Governor Nyaribo. Yet here in Kakamega, funds earmarked for Leopards are being diverted to Cleophas ‘Toto’ Shimanyula’s Homeboyz.”
Khalwale stressed that reviving AFC Leopards requires a strategic vision, not fixing events. He defended outgoing chairman Dan Shikanda, asserting that his tenure was undermined by a lack of institutional backing.
Restoring AFC Leopards cannot be achieved through one-off events. Success hinges on a clear, long-term strategy. The outgoing chairman was not the problem the absence of a coherent vision left him with no foundation to build upon.”
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He further outlined his vision of nurturing young talent through school-based scouting programs.
He pledged to visit top secondary schools in the region, such as Kakamega High School and Musingu High School, to identify and sponsor promising players using county resources, with the aim of integrating them into the AFC Leopards squad.
That’s why I’m urging you whoever is elected as the new chairman – I have a plan for you. Organizing a tournament for AFC Leopards to play is not a sustainable strategy; that’s just an event. The real plan is to rebuild AFC Leopards.
I will go to top footballing secondary schools like Kakamega High School and Musingu High School. I’ll travel, scout talent using government funds, sponsor those players, and when they’re ready, they’ll be integrated into the Abaluhya Football Club – AFC Leopards.”
AFC Leopards, founded in 1964, is one of the most decorated football clubs in Kenya and East Africa.
The team has won 12 top-flight league titles, 10 FKF Cups, and five CECAFA Club Championships.
However, recent seasons have seen a decline in performance. This season, they are currently in sixth place with 46 points from 31 matches under interim coach Fred Ambani.
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